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14 arrested Friday for making meth in Putnam County

Donald McLaughlin

Fourteen men and women between the ages of 24 and 70 were arrested Friday on charges of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine following an eight-month investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators began making arrests at 6 a.m. Friday in western Putnam County after warrants were issued for 17 suspects on methamphetamine-related charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began eight months ago when deputies broke up a methamphetamine cook at a home in the 200 block of Ellen Avenue in Interlachen, the Sheriff’s Office said. A follow-up revealed that Donald McLaughlin was making meth for distribution in the Interlachen area and regularly worked with others to get the chemicals needed to make the drug, investigators said.

During Friday’s search for the suspects, a methamphetamine lab was found in the 100 block of Arrowhead Drive and meth found in a home in the 100 block Paul Drive in Interlachen. In total, about a gram of methamphetamine, 86 grams of methamphetamine oil and other pieces of drug paraphernalia were seized during this operation, the Sheriff’s Office said.

McLaughlin, 48, remains in the Putnam County jail without bond. The remaining six men and seven women, also charged with conspiracy possession of listed chemicals, were arrested and held on $10,000 bail, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The county has also condemned the Arrowhead Drive and Paul Drive homes.

Anyone with information on four others who remain at large — Jason Jeremiah Dhanraj 36; Kodiak Lee Spence, 27; Shelly Marie Arthur, 38; and Jared Quinion Brown, 29; is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 329-0801 or Crimestoppers at (888) 277-8477 or www.westopcrime.com.